Survey: Texans Lead U.S. in Eating Out

Did you know that Texans lead the entire country in going out to eat? It's true. The Zagat Survey of restaurants in all 50 states says Texans really love going out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, more than people in any other state.

The Texas average of 3.8 "eat-outs" a week is the highest in the country. That's 20 percent higher than the national average of 3.1.

This news isn't very surprising. Eateries of all kinds are everywhere you look. In Lufkin and Nacogdoches, restaurants and fast-foods account for much of the new building that's going on.

The biggest reason we like to eat out is that it doesn't cost an arm or leg. You don't have to take out a second mortgage to take your family to dinner. At least, not around here.

Topping the Texas list this year is Houston, with a reported average of 4.1 meals per week, followed in order by Dallas/Ft. Worth (3.8), San Antonio (3.6) and Austin (3.5).

This year's winners for Food in Texas represent an eclectic mix of dining options. In Dallas, the Cultural District's classic French Saint-Emilion earned a near-perfect 29 out of 30 on the Zagat rating scale, as did Austin's Uchi (Japanese) and Houston's Da Marco (Italian).

In San Antonio, Food winner Bistro Vatel (French) topped the list with an also impressive 28 out of 30.

Where's the Money: When it comes to spending, the cost of a meal in Texas, at $32.17, remains a relative bargain compared to the $35.62 national average. In fact, meal costs declined in Austin and San Antonio since the Zagat 2010 Survey and increased by less than 1% annually in Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston.

Here's a link to the full list of winners, and some interesting facts that emerged in the Zagat Survey.